Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended the use of public funds to support marriage arrangements in states operating under Shariah law, describing the practice as a legitimate responsibility of government.
Gumi made the position known in a statement shared on Facebook on Thursday, arguing that governments operating under Shariah have a duty to address social challenges arising from the prohibition of sexual relationships outside marriage.
According to the cleric, where prostitution, fornication, adultery and promiscuity are prohibited by both religious principles and state laws, government intervention to assist individuals who cannot afford marriage should be considered part of responsible governance.
He argued that public resources could legitimately be deployed to support young people who are in urgent need of marriage, as well as women who face limited opportunities to find suitable spouses.
“In a Shariah law-driven state, where prostitution, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity are prohibited by both divine and state laws, using public funds to facilitate the marriage of women who are in excess of the available pool of eligible men, or of any young person in dire need of marriage, is a legitimate and responsible component of good governance,” Gumi said.
His comments come amid ongoing debates over the role of government in supporting marriage and addressing social challenges in states implementing aspects of Islamic law.
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